# SWListener - radio scanner — Short wave frequency finder

> Shortwave radio broadcast schedule and frequency finder. (iPhone/iPad app by md.)

- Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/swlistener-radio-scanner/id1018238379 (this page in markdown: same URL + `.md`)
- Developer: [md](https://appshunter.io/developer/502360039)
- Category: Utilities, Entertainment
- Price: $0.99 with in-app purchases
- Rating: 1.40/5 from 41 App Store ratings · 77 written reviews indexed
- Age rating: 4+
- Requires: iOS 16.6 · 45 MB
- Languages: American English
- Released: 2015-11-05
- Data updated: 2026-08-27
- Monetization: free
- User reviews in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/swlistener-radio-scanner/id1018238379/reviews.md

## What is SWListener?

Tune into the world. No algorithms. No streaming. Just radio.

SWListener is the ultimate companion for shortwave enthusiasts. Discover thousands of broadcast schedules from stations around the world - always up to date and at your fingertips.

What you can do:
- Scan live frequencies and see what's currently on air
- Type any frequency directly into the VFO display for instant tuning
- Browse the complete schedule of every world station
- Check language, transmitter site, target region and antenna data
- Navigate by frequency, band or station name
- See which frequencies have recent DX spots highlighted on the tuning scale
- Log reception reports and share them with the SWL community

Whether you're a seasoned DXer or just discovering shortwave - SWListener gives you the tools to explore the spectrum like never before.

NOTE: SWListener is a broadcast schedule database - not a radio player. A real shortwave receiver is required to listen.

Terms of Use: https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/

## Key features

- Find broadcast schedules
- View current transmissions
- Get transmission details
- Search by frequency
- Browse station schedules
- Sort stations by name

## Pricing and in-app purchases

Base price: $0.99.

**Subscriptions**

| Subscription | Price | Period |
| --- | --- | --- |
| SWListener premium | $2.99 | per year |


## What do users think of SWListener?

Overall sentiment: negative

**Pros**

- 👍 Useful for looking up stations
- 👍 Handy for identifying stations
- 👍 App works great (after fixes)
- 👍 Accurate station identification
- 👍 Automatically shows stations on air

**Cons**

- ❌ App does nothing
- ❌ Blank screens
- ❌ Total fraud/scam
- ❌ Zero functionality
- ❌ Crashes constantly
- ❌ Developers failed to update
- ❌ No sound or reception
- ❌ Nonfunctional
- ❌ Waste of money
- ❌ Does not work
- ❌ Nothing loads
- ❌ Money stolen
- ❌ Real sad how Apple lets this in store
- ❌ Garbage
- ❌ Worthless
- ❌ Complete crap
- ❌ Is this a scam?
- ❌ Waste
- ❌ Rework needed
- ❌ Defective App
- ❌ Rip off
- ❌ Fraud
- ❌ No content
- ❌ Stealing money
- ❌ Useless as a paper wellington
- ❌ Save your money
- ❌ Improved version still blank
- ❌ Nothing happens
- ❌ Breaks down
- ❌ Love the blank screens
- ❌ No way to listen
- ❌ No information inside
- ❌ Absolute 'pants'
- ❌ Not happy
- ❌ Rubbish-junk
- ❌ Sparse
- ❌ Useless
- ❌ Time never current
- ❌ Crap
- ❌ Crashes on specific frequency
- ❌ Inaccurate information
- ❌ Missing radio schedules
- ❌ Retro design
- ❌ Donation not a purchase
- ❌ Seller should be banned
- ❌ First app that doesn't work
- ❌ Says receiving data but doesn't
- ❌ Freezes on retrieving data
- ❌ Completely useless
- ❌ Hangs on retrieving data
- ❌ Junk app
- ❌ Crap app
- ❌ Stall out when loading
- ❌ Faulty app
- ❌ Unusable
- ❌ SW Rip-off
- ❌ Rubbish
- ❌ Worse than older version
- ❌ Don't waste your money
- ❌ Unzumutbare Ladezeiten
- ❌ Abstürze
- ❌ DOA
- ❌ Listener?
- ❌ 79p wasted

**Commonly reported bugs**

- App crashes
- Blank screens
- Zero functionality
- No sound
- No reception
- App opens but nothing loads
- App crashes constantly
- App freezes on 'retrieving data'
- App crashes and closes after selecting a station
- App shuts down immediately when tapped on a frequency
- App hangs on 'running'
- App freezes
- App opens, screen pops up and says retrieving data, then freezes
- App will not open
- Unzumutbare Ladezeiten
- Abstürze

**Most requested features**

- Add selection by language
- Add selection by target area
- Fetch free SW schedule updates from EIBI and HFCC
- Customer support to show screenshots
- Dark mode option
- Advanced analytics dashboard

## Recent user reviews (10 of 77)

All indexed reviews: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/swlistener-radio-scanner/id1018238379/reviews.md

### 1/5 — Do not buy!!!!!!!!!

*2026-05-18*

This is my first review of all time…
((You must pay again after purchasing the app, otherwise you can’t use any features in the app))!!!!!!!

**Developer response:** Thank you for taking the time to leave your very first review — I appreciate it.
I want to address your concern directly: SWListener is a free download and has always been free to download. The app uses a subscription model to access the full database, which covers the costs of maintaining and updating over 12,000 shortwave schedules on a regular basis.
A 7-day free trial is included so you can explore all features before committing — no charge during the trial period.
I understand this model can feel unexpected, and I’m sorry if it wasn’t clear enough upfront. I’m always working to improve the app and the way it communicates its value.
If you’d like to share more feedback or need any help, feel free to reach out at info@md2tech.it — I’m happy to assist.
73 de MD2 TECH

### 1/5 — DO NOT BUY!!!

*2026-05-08*

I would have given zero stars if it were an option. This is a scam! I should have listened to the other reviewers, as they were absolutely correct. I had hoped that with time, the situation would have improved with updates and bug fixes etc., but no! There is zero functionality to this app. It is total fraud. The screens are blank. Apple needs to remove this app immediately from the App Store. Are you listening Apple?! How many reviewers need to tell you this??
UPDATE: THE DEVELOPER REACHED OUT AND OFFERED ME A COMPLEMENTARY ONE YEAR SUBSCRIPTION TO THE NEW “PREMIUM“ REDESIGNED VERSION OF THE APP (SEE SCREENSHOTS FROM APP DESIGNER ABOVE). IT’S GREAT THAT THE BLANK SCREENS ARE GONE, BUT UNFORTUNATELY, THERE IS ALSO NO SOUND AND NO RECEPTION. THE APP LOOKS PRETTIER, BUT IS STILL TOTALLY NONFUNCTIONAL. I REACHED OUT DIRECTLY TO THE APP DESIGNER FOR HELP AND ADVICE AND HAVE HEARD NOTHING BACK. PLEASE DON’T GO DOWN THIS RABBIT HOLE LIKE THE REST OF US. GO TRY THE TOTALLY FREE AND COMPLETELY AWESOME RADIO APP CALLED “ECHO“. YOU WON’T REGRET IT.

**Developer response:** Thank you for your feedback. I'm sorry for the experience you had with the previous version of the app.

I want to clarify an important point: SWListener is a shortwave broadcast schedule database — not a radio player. It does not produce audio or receive signals. A real shortwave receiver is required to listen. This is clearly stated in the app description.

The app has been completely redesigned since your review. The blank screens issue has been resolved, and the app now includes a full frequency database with over 12,000 schedules, live DX spots from the global SWL community, a propagation indicator and much more.

If you'd like to give it another try, feel free to reach out directly at info@md2tech.it — I'm happy to help you get started.

73 de MD2 TECH

### 5/5 — Good app for looking up stations on the go!

*2026-05-05*

Downloaded most recent version (1.3.0) and it looks like a decent app if you are trying to find out what station(s) are on a certain frequency or (if you pay for the subscription), you can look up a station by name and see what frequency or frequencies it is on. The subscription also ensures the listing is up to date. I don't currently have a shortwave radio with which to cross-check the listings for accuracy, but the app looks like it would be useful if you listen to shortwave and travel but don't want to carry paper logbooks with you everywhere (or can't jump on the internet for a quick Google search!)

**Developer response:** Thank you so much for the kind and accurate review!

You've described the app perfectly — SWListener is exactly that: a pocket reference for shortwave listeners who want schedules and frequencies always at hand, without carrying paper logs or relying on internet searches in the field.

The database is updated regularly and the Premium subscription keeps everything current. If you ever get a shortwave receiver, I'd love to hear how it works for you in practice!

Feel free to reach out at info@md2tech.it for any questions or suggestions.

73 de MD2 TECH 📻

### 1/5 — DOES NOTHING

*2025-10-14, version 1.2.6*

Doesn't work. At all

### 1/5 — Rubbish app

*2025-01-22*

Doesn't work all info in app is blank waste of money
Should have read the review before paying.  My mistake.

**Developer response:** Thank you for your review. We have completely rebuilt the app — it is now available as SWListener on the App Store with a brand new interface and a fully updated database of 12,000+ shortwave schedules. If you experience any issues with the new version, please contact us at info@md2tech.it and we will help you immediately. 73 de MD2 TECH

### 1/5 — Crashes constantly and developers have failed to update for SIX YEARS!

*2024-07-06*

Crashes constantly and developers have failed to update for SIX YEARS!

Stay away from this app.

### 1/5 — Scammers

*2023-12-03*

The Apps opens up but nothing loads. All pages blank.

**Developer response:** Thank you for your patience and we apologize. The old app had serious problems — we started from scratch. SWListener is the new version: redesigned interface, 12,000+ updated schedules, fully compatible with iPhone 15 Pro. Refund: reportaproblem.apple.com — Support: info@md2tech.it. We hope to see you back. 73 de MD2 TECH

### 1/5 — Feel scammed.

*2023-12-02*

Does not work.

**Developer response:** We're really sorry — knowing that you spent money on something that didn't work is frustrating for us too. We rebuilt everything from scratch and published SWListener, a brand new app with an updated database, redesigned interface and over 12,000 shortwave schedules. You said it looked interesting — we hope the new version proves you right. For a refund: reportaproblem.apple.com. We're at info@md2tech.it if you'd like to give us another chance. 73 de MD2 TECH

### 1/5 — Nothing there

*2023-08-29*

Nothing but blank pages… money stolen.

**Developer response:** We understand, and we're truly sorry. The old version had serious issues that we couldn't fix without starting over — and that's exactly what we did. SWListener is the new app, completely rewritten, with over 12,000 updated frequencies and an interface that actually works. For a refund: reportaproblem.apple.com. For any questions: info@md2tech.it. 73 de MD2 TECH

### 1/5 — I want my 99c back

*2023-08-08, version 1.2.6*

THERE IS NOTHING HERE

## Frequently asked questions about SWListener

### What does SWListener do?

SWListener helps you find broadcast schedules for shortwave radio transmissions. It allows you to view currently active broadcasts, access detailed information about each transmission, and explore the complete broadcast schedules for specific stations.

### Can I listen to radio with this app?

No, this app is not a radio player. You will need a real radio receiver to listen to shortwave broadcasts. The app serves as a tool to help you find and track what is currently broadcasting.

### How can I find a specific broadcast?

You can find broadcasts in several ways. Use the 'On the air view' to see live transmissions, slide through bands, use the band index, or directly search for a specific frequency using the search bar. You can also browse by station name in the 'Stations view'.

### Is this app free to use?

Yes, the application is free to use. There are no in-app purchases or advertisements mentioned, indicating a completely free experience for users.

### What information does the app provide about transmissions?

For each transmission, the app provides information such as the language of the broadcast, the transmitter's position, and the intended target audience. This helps users understand the context and reach of the shortwave signals.

## Version history (last 5 releases)

### 1.3.5 — 2026-06-01

v1.3.5 brings two new features to improve your shortwave hunting experience:

DIRECT FREQUENCY INPUT
Tap the large frequency display on the VFO screen to type any frequency directly using the numeric keyboard. The tuner jumps instantly to your target frequency — just like a real scanner.

SPOT INDICATORS
Frequencies that have received DX spots from the community in the last 15 days are now highlighted on the tuning scale with an orange ring. Station cards in the list also show a SPOT badge so you know where activity has been reported.

### 1.3.4 — 2026-05-16

- Indicatore propagazione segnale: i pallini sul VFO e nella lista mostrano la qualità di ricezione stimata (verde/arancione/rosso)
- Timestamp degli spot ora visibili direttamente nella lista
- Correzioni di bug e miglioramenti delle prestazioni

### 1.3.0 — 2026-05-02

SWListening is now SWListener - same passion, whole new experience. Completely redesigned interface, faster and more efficient database engine, simplified one-tap updates, and full compatibility with the latest iOS devices. Plus a new 7-day free trial to explore everything risk-free.

### 1.2.6 — 2018-05-15

This app has been updated by Apple to display the Apple Watch app icon.

UTC hour bug fixed and optimization of Apple Watch App.

### 1.2.5 — 2018-04-05

General optimization and new graphic interface for Apple Watch.

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All apps by md: https://appshunter.io/developer/502360039

## Related topics

[shortwave radio scanner apps](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/shortwave-radio-scanner-apps)

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*Data collected daily from the US App Store and indexed by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/). User reviews are verbatim App Store reviews. Ratings, prices and chart positions refresh continuously; this snapshot is from 2026-08-27.*